Indefinite hospital order for man who killed cellmate

Michael Harkin was convicted of manslaughter by diminished responsibility

A prisoner has been handed an indefinite hospital order after being found guilty of killing his cellmate.

Michael Harkin, 35, was convicted of manslaughter by diminished responsibility following the death of 38-year-old Dan Childs at HMP Bristol in June 2023.

Harkin was also found guilty of wounding a second prisoner after a 16-day trial in July this year.

Senior investigating officer Det Insp Nadine Partridge said their thoughts are with Mr Childs’ family who had their "much-loved son, brother and uncle taken away from them".

Harkin was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on 11 October.

Mr Childs was found unresponsive in his cell on 5 June and pronounced dead at the scene, having been strangled, Avon and Somerset Police said.

Dan Childs was found dead in the cell he shared with Michael Harkin

The jury was told Harkin had two different cellmates in the days leading up to Mr Childs’ death.

The first prisoner requested to be moved on 1 June, after one day of sharing with Harkin.

He later told police it was because "there was something not right" about Harkin.

Staff subsequently paired Mr Childs with Harkin instead.

On 5 June, police officers were called to HMP Bristol after Harkin assaulted his former cellmate in the showers, causing facial, neck, shoulder and leg wounds with an improvised blade.

The jury heard evidence from medical experts during the course of the trial, and following direction by the judge, found Harkin not guilty of murder.